El Dorado County, California Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · CA
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 91th
El Dorado County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 91.4, 91th national percentile), driven primarily by wildfire and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $124M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in El Dorado County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 91.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 91st national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at High risk — $55M in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $336K in expected annual loss and about 3.11 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $56M in expected annual loss and about 1.14 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $124M in expected annual loss for a population of 191K.
Beyond physical exposure, El Dorado County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: El Dorado County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1964, including 8 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (severe storm), declared in April 2023.
Among 58 California counties, El Dorado County ranks #37 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Wildfire | High | 0.01 / yr | $55M |
| Landslide | Medium | 3.11 / yr | $336K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.14 / yr | $56M |
| Earthquake | Medium | 0.02 / yr | $8M |
| Avalanche | High | 0.33 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | High | 28.49 / yr | $345K |
| Drought | Medium | 62.56 / yr | $933K |
| Lightning | Medium | 14.39 / yr | $577K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.45 / yr | $1M |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40 |
| Hail | Very Low | 0.16 / yr | $81K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.07 / yr | $198K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $143K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
El Dorado County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1964, most recently Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in April 2023. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (8), Flood (8), Fire (7).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| April 2023 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| March 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
| January 2023 | Flood | Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides |
| September 2022 | Fire | Mosquito Fire |
| September 2021 | Fire | Wildfires |
| September 2021 | Fire | Caldor Fire |
| August 2021 | Fire | Caldor Fire |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for El Dorado County?
El Dorado County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 91.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 91th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in El Dorado County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Wildfire (High, $55M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $336K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $56M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does El Dorado County compare to other California counties?
El Dorado County ranks #37 of 58 California counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has El Dorado County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for El Dorado County since 1964, most often 8 for severe storm events and 8 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, declared in April 2023.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. El Dorado County's $124M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.